Members of the police at Giyani have arrested a man believed to be a dagga dealer operating  between Giyani, Malamulele and Thohoyandou.

Police acted on a tip-off from a member of the community and confiscated 11 bags of dagga in a vehicle in Giyani.

According to the police, an off-duty policeman received a call about the occupant of an expensive car that was loading suspicious-looking bags at Phaphadi village. The informer told the police that the car had driven towards Giyani, about 35km away from the suspected dealing point.

The police then acted on the hint and found the vehicle in the town.  While searching the vehicle, eleven 50kg bags of dagga were found by the police. They then proceeded to Phaphadi village, where the suspect stays, and confisicated six more 50kg bags and 16 "arms" of dagga.

The spokesperson for the Giyani Police, W/O Thomas Makhubele, said the dagga weighed 184.8kg and had an estimated street value of R850 000. It is alleged that the dagga was to be transported to various places around Thohoyandou.

Makhubele applauded the crime prevention team at the Giyani police station for their quick response. “I would also like to thank the informer for his swift reaction. Let the public work hand in hand with policemen to stop crime in their areas. If you allow your neighbour to deal in drugs, it means you are not looking for a better future for your children," said Makhubele

The 48-year-old suspect will soon appear in the Giyani Magistrate's Court on a charge of dealing in dagga.